News
TaylorMade goes titanium, Twist Face for M5, M6 fairway woods
TaylorMade stayed faithful to a steel-headed fairway wood for a long time, but 2019 is different for a few reasons. For starters, with the M5 and M6 fairway woods TaylorMade brings Twist Face technology beyond the driver for the first time, and with its M5 offering, TM has gone with a titanium/carbon head alongside an interesting weighting system that isn’t exactly new science but seems to harmonize with all the rest of the tech the company offers.
“The M5 fairway wood is a new super adjustable fairway wood featuring ground-breaking new titanium-carbon construction with a massive 65-gram movable weight. This is the first ever fairway wood to use our revolutionary Twist Face technology for unparalleled accuracy and game-changing performance,” says Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director, Product Creation, Metalwoods.
While the effect is the same — counteracting the gear effect on high-toe and low-heel mis-hits — the Twist Face shape is slightly different in the woods, owing to the differing impact patterns between drivers and woods.
TaylorMade M5 fairway wood
The titanium-bodied club features a five-layer carbon composite crown, as well as a steel 65-gram movable weight for a tri-material body construction.
The weight system is redesigned from the M family’s predecessors, as the engineers were able to lower CG and increase adjustability, thanks to the increased discretionary weight.
The M5’s 12-position loft sleeve allows for plus/minus two degrees of adjustability.
In the past TaylorMade has always designed a fairway wood that jived well with its drivers, this is no exception in the case of the M5. It will be interesting to see how Twist Face technology in a fairway wood plays with its tour staff — traditionally forgiveness or speed across the face isn’t a necessity on tour for a fairway wood.
Director of Content Johnny Wunder on early testing of the M5 fairway wood
Look
“Compact head with a deepish face, the better player will like this shape overall.”
Feel
“The titanium/carbon head is a new feel for a TaylorMade fairway wood. At 65 grams the steel weight system provides a hammer head feel to this wood that I really like.”
Sound
“Very similar to all the Taylor fairways, crisp, thumpy and non tingy.”
Overall
“A winner as an offering is concerned however as with any fairway wood coming out, this is a hard category to really elevate the conversation. These clubs are so personal to each individual.”
M5 specifications, pricing & availability
Available for preorder on January 18 and at retail on February 1. MSRP of $399.99. The M5 fairway will be offered in Rocket 3/14 degree (RH only), 15 degree, and 18 degree lofts and come equipped with a Mitsubishi CK Tensei Orange 75 (X) and 65 (S, R) with numerous additional shaft options available at no additional cost.
The stock grip is the MCC Decade grip from Golf Pride.
Related: TaylorMade M5 fairway wood, M6 fairway wood photos
TaylorMade M6 fairway wood
The M2/M4 woods had a ton of success across the board for all levels of golfers due to its overall forgiveness and for the tour player the ability get the gains out of a slightly lower profile fairway without giving up the turf interaction and workability of the deeper smaller M1/M3.
The steel-constructed M6 fairway wood is equipped with a re-engineered Speed Pocket
to boost ball speed on shots struck low on the face. A TPU slot insert sits flush with the sole of the M6 for better turf interaction/less Speed Pocket drag.
This year also sees the addition of a “Rocket 3.” The 14-degree offering targeting those who seek reduced spin and higher ballspeed, according to the company. The center of gravity sits directly behind the club face in the M6, which improves energy transfer from its predecessor, the M4.
In an interesting change this year, relative to the M5, the M6 features a slightly taller face, and as a result, a larger impact area. Like the M5, however, the M6’s carbon composite crown increases discretionary mass, which is concentrated low in the head for a lower CG/higher launch.
The M6 is also available in a draw-biased M6 D-Type, which features the company’s divergent face masking and a modified internal weighting structure for an addition 15 yards of draw bias compared to the standard M6.
Johnny Wunder on early testing of the M6 Fairway Wood
Look
“The M6 is the best looking fairway wood in the M2/M4/M6 class. I like the deeper face and from a look standpoint find it very confidence inspiring.”
Feel
“This may sound weird but it feels forgiving LOL. It’s easy to get up in the air and has a good feel across the face. If there was any negatives, for better players it may be too forgiving.”
Sound
“Acoustics on the M6 is consistent with the previous versions in this category. If anything it might sound a bit less tingy then before but that’s nit picky to the older versions, they all sound great.”
Overall
“A solid choice across the board. Probably not for me personally but I can see this thing getting a lot of attention for very good reasons.”
M6 specifications, pricing & availability
Available for preorder on January 18 and at retail on February 1, 2019 at an MSRP of $299.99 USD, the M6 fairway woods will be offered in Rocket 3/14°,
15, 18, 21 and 24 degree lofts, equipped with Fujikura’s Atmos Orange FW shaft in S, R and A-flexes. The M6 D-Type will be offered in 16, 19, and 22 degree lofts and come equipped with the Project X EvenFlow Max Carry 50 shaft in 6.0 (S), 5.5 (R) and 5.0 (A).
The stock men’s grip is the Lamkin Dual Feel grip and the stock ladies grip is the Lamkin Comfort Plus Dual Feel grip.
M6 Rescue
TaylorMade has incorporated Twist Face technology into a hybrid for the first time. With more extreme curvature than the M6 driver, engineers opted for a two-tone crown to mask the potentially visually distracting shape.
With respect to a low CG steel body, thinner face, and lightweight crown, the M6 Rescue has much in common with the M6 fairway wood. Ditto, the Speed Pocket with a TPU slot insert.
This hybrid will satisfy the needs of the higher handicap player looking to hit something high that lands softly. It doesn’t appear at first glance that the better player will land on this club, but that’s not the agenda here.
Johnny Wunder on the M6 Rescue
“I was only able to hit a couple of shots with the hybrid, as a non hybrid player I can simply say its very easy to hit and will be a great option for the higher handicap to fill top of the bag gaps.”
Rescue specifications, pricing & availability
Available for preorder on January 18 and at retail on February 1, 2019 at an MSRP of $249 USD. The M6 Rescue will be offered in 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 degree lofts and come equipped with a Fujikura Atmos Orange HY shaft in 7 (S), 6 (R) or 5 (A).
For women, the M6 Rescue will come in 22, 25, 28, 31 degree lofts (RH only) and come equipped with TaylorMade’s Tuned Performance 45g L-flex shaft.
The stock men’s grip is the Lamkin Dual Feel grip and the stock ladies grip is the Lamkin Comfort Plus Dual Feel grip.
Related: TaylorMade M5 fairway wood, M6 fairway wood photos
- LIKE46
- LEGIT8
- WOW6
- LOL3
- IDHT3
- FLOP3
- OB3
- SHANK26
News
Morning 9: Tiger confirms playing schedule | Player: This caused Tiger’s downfall
|
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
News
Vincenzi’s 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson betting preview: International talent to shine
As anticipation mounts for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in a few weeks, the PGA Tour makes a pit stop in McKinney, Texas to play The CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Last year was the third time TPC Craig Ranch hosted the Byron Nelson. Prior to 2021, the event was held at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
TPC Craig Ranch is a 7,414-yard par-71 that features Bentgrass greens. The event historically plays relatively easy, and that has remained the case in the three editions at TPC Craig Ranch.
The course structure may provide some additional intrigue with the par-3 17th featuring a stadium setup called “Ranch 17” which is reminiscent of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The course also has both long and difficult par-4s mixed with drivable par-4s, which should create some exciting moments.
There are 156 golfers in the field this week, and many stars will be taking the week off to prepare for 2023’s second major championship in a few weeks and a “signature event” at Quail Hollow next week. Notable players in the field include Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Sungjae Im, Stephan Jaeger, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee, Alex Noren, Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris.
Past Winners of the AT&T Byron Nelson
- 2023: Jason Day (-23 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2022: K.H. Lee (-26 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2021: K.H. Lee (-25 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2019: Sung Kang (-23)
- 2018: Aaron Wise (-23)
- 2017: Billy Horschel (-12)
- 2016: Sergio Garcia (-15)
- 2015: Steven Bowditch (-18)
Key Stats at TPC Craig Ranch
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for TPC Craig Ranch to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach remains the best measure of current form.
Hot iron play will be at a premium this week. Last year, Jason Day gained 6.4 strokes on approach, which was fourth in the field. In 2022, K.H. Lee was ninth in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.2 strokes. In his 2021 victory, he was second in the field and gained 8.3 strokes on the field in the category.
Strokes Gaines: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.02)
- Henrik Norlander (+0.99)
- Ryan Moore (+0.98)
- Ben Martin (0.80)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Fairways are wide at TPC Craig Ranch.
Distance will certainly be helpful, and there aren’t too many difficult holes on the course. Golfers who put themselves in position off of the tee this week should have a sizable advantage.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds
- Peter Kuest (+0.93)
- Kevin Daugherty (+0.91)
- Alejandro Tosti (+0.83)
- Keith Mitchell (+0.82)
- Kevin Tway (+0.74)
Birdie or Better %
There aren’t many hazards on the course, and all of the par-5s should be reachable in two for the majority of the players in the field. I am anticipating a birdie fest, and this statistic should be helpful in finding the birdie-makers.
Birdie or Better % Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Wesley Bryan (31%)
- Kelly Kraft (26.2%)
- Peter Kuest (25.9%)
- Matti Schmid (25.7%
- Jimmy Stanger (25.2%)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
Many golfers on TOUR have some major putting surface variance in their statistics and prefer Bentgrass to other surfaces.
Bentgrass is common in Texas, and we often see golfers who play well in Texas continue to do so, finding a great feel around the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Maverick McNealy (+0.92)
- Aaron Baddeley (+0.87)
- Callum Tarren (+0.86)
- Harry Hall (+0.81)
- Nick Hardy (+0.69)
Course History
This statistic will tell us which players have performed the best at TPC Craig Ranch over the past three seasons.
Course History Over Past 12 Rounds:
- Jordan Spieth (+2.69)
- K.H. Lee (+2.59)
- Seamus Power (+1.84)
- Ryan Palmer (+1.76)
- Adam Scott (+1.72)
CJ CUP Byron Nelson Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: OTT (24%), Birdie or Better % (18%), Course History (17%) and SG: Putting Bentgrass (16%).
- Alex Noren
- Adam Scott
- Keith Mitchell
- Si Woo Kim
- Stephen Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Jhonnatan Vegas
- Nate Lashley
- Brice Garnett
- Tom Hoge
2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson Picks
Byeong Hun An +3000 (DraftKings)
Byeong Hun put together an excellent performance at The Masters, finishing T16, which ties his best ever finish at a major championship (also T16 at 2019 U.S. Open). The South Korean gained 9.16 strokes from tee to green, which ranked 2nd in the field behind only the champion, Scottie Scheffler.
An’s next start at Harbour Town didn’t go as well (67th), but he still had a fantastic ball striking week. The 32-year-old bled strokes both around and on the greens, which was his eventual undoing. In his past three starts, An has gained significant strokes on the field both off the tee and on approach.
Benny had a strong start at last year’s Byron Nelson, finishing in a tie for 14th. With limited challenges on the course, he shouldn’t have to do much scrambling. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 17th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 17th in the field in birdie or better percentage. The putter is up and down per usual, but his ceiling putting weeks with his LAB Golf putter in 2024 are higher than they’ve been in past seasons.
An is starting to become my “white whale” of the PGA Tour, but I believe in his talent and TPC Craig Ranch is a course that should suit his excellent tee to green play.
Mackenzie Hughes +5500 (FanDuel)
Mackenzie Hughes is quietly putting together a very good season. He finished in a tie for 3rd at the Valspar Championship and followed that up with a T14 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
In his past 36 rounds in Texas, the Canadian ranks 5th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total. Last year, he finished in a tie for 14th at this event and gained strokes putting and off the tee. Mackenzie played well that week despite being in extremely poor form. He missed two cuts in a row prior to the event, and four consecutive cuts immediately after. His irons were off that week, but in 2024, we’ve seen an improvement in Hughes’ approach game. He now comes to the event playing some steady golf. He’s gained strokes on approach in four of his past five events and is hitting the ball very well from tee to green.
Hughes has two victories on the PGA Tour, both coming in relatively low-scoring affairs (-17 in each). He will need to go a bit deeper to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson but has the type of putter that can keep pace in a birdie barrage.
Seamus Power +7000 (FanDuel)
After struggling over the past few seasons with injuries, Seamus Power seems as if he is rounding back into the form that made him a really consistent player on the PGA Tour.
Power finished T12 in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage, which is encouraging considering it was a “signature event” with a very strong field. For the week, the Irishman gained 4.4 strokes on approach and 2.8 strokes putting, which is the combination he’s used in the past to contend on Tour.
In his three trips to TPC Craig Ranch, Power is yet to finish outside of the top-20, with his best finish being a T9 in 2019. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course. The 37-year-old thrives on easy tracks and has won in 2021 (Barbasol Championship) and 2022 (Butterfield Bermuda) on easier layouts with weaker fields.
Power has the game to go extremely low and I believe he can get back in the winner’s circle for the third time in four years.
Chan Kim +10000 (FanDuel)
Chan Kim has been striking the ball beautifully this season and is a proven winner with two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 as well as eight career Japan Tour wins.
At last week’s Zurich Classic, Kim and his partner Doug Ghim finished in a tie for 28th. Prior to that, the South Korean T14 at the Valero Texas Open and T6 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. His success this season in Texas as well as he propensity to play his best golf on the PGA Tour’s easier courses make him and ideal fit for TPC Craig Ranch.
2024 has given plenty of longshot winners on the PGA Tour, and with a birdie fest like this, I believe there’s a strong chance we get another this week in McKinney, Texas.
Alejandro Tosti +10000 (FanDuel)
Alejandro Tosti is one of the most polarizing players on the PGA Tour thus far in the 2024 season. His antics can rub many the wrong way, but he’s shown on a few occasions that he has what it takes to compete in Tour events.
This season, Tosti has been elite off the tee. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The Argentine hits it long and straight, which works at any course on earth. He got a taste of contention a few starts ago at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, finishing in a tie for 2nd place.
Tosti had a fantastic year in 2023 on the Korn Ferry Tour, where going low is a prerequisite to success. If this turns to a shootout, which it likely will, the 27-year-old has the ability to set the pace. Tosti will look to become the second Argentine to win in Texas in the past two seasons after Emiliano Grillo emerged victorious at last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
C.T. Pan +15000 (FanDuel)
Outside of a T3 at the Mexico Open, C.T. Pan doesn’t have strong results this season in terms of finishes. However, over his past two starts, Pan’s iron play has come alive. At The Players, he gained 6.6 strokes on approach. At the Valero Texas Open, he gained 3.7. At last week’s Zurich Classic, Pan and his partner Kevin Yu finished T28. For a player who can get extremely hot with his scoring clubs, I believe he’s playing better than the results have shown over the past month or so.
Last season, Pan finished 4th at TPC Craig Ranch and was spectacular across all the major stat categories. In his past 36 qualifying rounds, he ranks 16th in Strokes Gained: Total in Texas.
Pan has won on the PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage and is always a player that I believe has what it takes to win on a Sunday if he finds himself in contention.
- LIKE16
- LEGIT10
- WOW3
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP3
- OB0
- SHANK4
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week ago
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment3 weeks ago
Jason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
Walter
Jan 4, 2019 at 11:45 am
WOW! what a concept, titanium faces for fairway woods, ha ha. Ahh my old Tour Edge Exotics XCG6 3WD had a Ti face from many many years ago. I guess TM just discovered Ti could be used in fairway woods, ha ha.
Benny
Jan 4, 2019 at 8:00 am
You guys have to go and watch Youtube. Forget the guy but he tests each line of drivers from previous 5/6 years. Same shaft in all I believe so there could be some hidden yards. But new vrs old is a matter of a yard or two.
Grande
Jan 3, 2019 at 1:59 pm
God these are ugly looking drivers.
orv
Jan 3, 2019 at 6:23 pm
Hey… these blingy style drivers with lots of doo-daad features is what gearhead geeks go bananas for… and TM marketing department know that too. They play with the driver head just like they do with themselves.
CaoNiMa
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:03 am
That’s because these are fairways metals. lol
Daniel Hill
Jan 3, 2019 at 1:37 pm
Justin Rose lost two tourneys and the Tour Championship because his TM was 50-60 yards left/right. Tiger lost Bay Hill, PGA, and several others because of his snappy and crappy TM gear. No thanks, if it’s long and crooked like SLDR, count me out.
Tom
Jan 3, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Hahahahahahahaha…..What a joke twist face is, didn’t you see Tiger and other TM players missing fairways by 30-40 yards last year using it?
This company is on the skids for sure…desperate even.
Pin high
Jan 3, 2019 at 12:50 pm
Just curious.. what driver do u use?
Kirkland ball
Jan 6, 2019 at 12:07 pm
We know driver you use
orv
Jan 3, 2019 at 11:08 am
This is too much! I’m gonna scrap my current clubs for the new TM drivers and fairways. The technology is awesome.
bonifacj
Jan 3, 2019 at 10:49 am
M5 looks like it’s a hydrogen infused Powerbilt.
orv
Jan 3, 2019 at 6:25 pm
Not ‘hydrogen’…. ‘nitrogen’… KAPOOOOOW… ppffttt
Benny
Jan 4, 2019 at 7:56 am
LOL
David
Jan 3, 2019 at 9:19 am
I’m a Taylormade guy, but at $400 for a fairway and $550 for a driver, this whole line is a hard pass. Waiting to see what the $300 wedges look like.
Roy
Jan 3, 2019 at 3:07 pm
No Fear – they will be on the preowned sight by late summer – can always pick up a good deal there…..